Nonfreeze tip-up



Aug- 225 1939- o. P. EGGLESTON NONFREEZE TIP-UP Filed May 2, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR y S/L, YQS, @M

ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 22, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE NONFREEZE TIP-UP Oscar P.` Eggleston, Theresa, N. Y. Application May 2, 193s, serial No. 205,643

19 Claims.

My invention relates to a device usually called a. tip-up for unattended fishing, which will give a positive signal when a fish takes the line, and is particularly adapted for fishing through the ice while avoiding freezing of the operating parts.

`It has been heretofore known to provide a device which will display a flag signal when a fish takes the line, but the devices heretofore known have certain marked disadvantages when used for fishing through the ice, particularly the freezing `of some of the operating parts so that the signal is not actuated.

It is an object of my invention to provide a tipup wherein the reel is at all times beneath the ice.

-Another object of my invention is to provide a tip-up wherein the operating parts will not freeze when the temperature is below freezing.

Another object oi' my invention is to provide a tip-up having an erect structural signal member projecting a substantial distance above the surface of the ice, so as to avoid any interferencefrom any ordinary amount of snow likely to be present on the surface of the ice.

A further object of my invention is to provide a tip-up structure wherein the supporting-piece which rests on the ice and holds the erect member in place may be easily disengaged from the erect member, so that if the supporting crosspiece becomes frozen to the the erect member may still removed.

A still further object of my invention'is to provide a tip-up'whose operation is independent of a be easily and quickly Atilting action, and which will not be operated by a heavy Wind.

Still another object of my invention is to .provide a tip-up which will give a multiplicity of different kinds of indications, visual, aural, and radio, so that a positive signal will be transmitted under any conditions.

Yet another object of my invention is to provide a tip-up whichwill discharge a cartridge when a sh takes the line.

Still a further object of my invention is to provide a water-tight seal between the parts immersed in water and the operating parts above water, and thereby avoid freezing of the parts above water.

Yet another object of my invention is to provide a tip-up having a non-metallic channel through the supporting member through which the actuating rod passes, to avoid the freezing of metal to metal.v

Still another object of my invention is to provide a tip-up responsive to a relatively feeble pull on the line, and one which is positive in action without the employment of direct-acting springs.

And a further object of my invention is to provide a device which is simple and rugged in strucsurface of the ice,

ture and dependable in action, and which may be manufactured at low cost in large quantities.

Besides its employment for fishing through the ice, my tip-up may also be used as a fishing float.

In the tip-ups heretofore available, the reel has' usually been above the ice, and in sub-freezing temperatures when the line gets wet as it comes out of the water, it will freeze on the reel, and also the loop of the line which engages any trigger element of the tip-up will freeze on the trigger element and prevent normal operation, so

y that when a fish takes the line, the loop will not pull free of the trigger and the fish can steal the bait and get away.

My invention is adapted at one time, upon a fish taking the line, to display a flag, to light an electric light, to ring an electric bell, to discharge a cartridge, and to actuate a short-wave radio transmitter.

My invention will be better understood by reference to the following specification and the accompanying drawings wherein like characters of ures and wherein:

Figure 1 is a general assembled front view inelevation of my invention, in position on the ice;

.Figure 2 is a side view with parts broken away showing the flag wire and latch wire in set position;

Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 3 3 of Figure 2, showing the cartridge barrel and cartridge;

Figure 4 is a detail partly in section of the lineactuated cam engaging the actuating pin; y

Figure 5 is an enlarged sectional view of the lower part of the apparatus of Figure 1, snowing the resilient nipple water-tight seal through which the actuating releasing thrust is transmitted by the cam;

Figure 6 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 6 6 of Figure 7, showing how the vertical bar is locked to the horizontal cross-beam which lies on the ice;

Figure 'I is a detail elevation of plate of the vertical bar;

Figure 8 is a detail of locking plate and studs of the cross-beam;

Figure 9 is an assembled top Plan showing the vertical bar in position in a hole in the ice supported by the cross-beam, with the adjustable Outrigger legs of the latter in extended position;

Figure 10 is a top plan of the vertical bar showing the central terminal metal sleeve with the flag wire and latch wire in a set position therein;

Figure 11 shows in front elevation a modified form of my invention, with another form of lineactuated latch positioned on the vertical bar beneath the ice;

the locking Figure 12 is a side elevation of the form of Figurell:

Figure 13 shows in elevation another modication of my invention wherein the armature ofthe electric bell actuates the latch to release the portion of the flag wire which holds the same in set position; and

Figure 16 shows a detail of the radio transmitter employing the flag wire as the antenna.

Referring to the drawings in detail, in Figure 1, there is shown at I the erect vertical bar which carries the operating element, and is provided at its upper end with shoulders 2, 3, which carry signal means including the electric bell, electric light, and radio transmitter. The ice surface is shown at 4 through which a hole 5 which may be some two feet in diameter has been cut, and through which the vertical bari passes from above into the water.

A cross-beam 6, shown in particular in Figures 2 and 9, is laid on the surface of the ice across the hole 5, and at its ends is provided with outrigger legs 54- adiustably pivotally mounted thereon at 55, to maintain the cross-beam 6 in a fixed position on the ice without tipping. The cross-beam 6 is provided with means for removably engaging and supporting'the erect bar I. This means includes (see Figure 8) a plate 5I having projecting studs 52 which are provided with enlarged head portions 53. Mounted on the side of the vertical bar I is a locking plate 48 which is provided with slots 48 having narrow upper portions 50 adapted totightly engage the shank of stud 52. The studs 52 may be inserted in the enlarged lower portions of slots 49 and forced upward into the narrow upper portionsthereof so that the heads 53 of studs 52 tightly engage plate 48 and firmly lock vertical member I to cross-bar 6. However, by simply raising vertical member I, it may be instantly disengaged from the cross-beam 6 by passing the heads 53 of studs 52 through the enlarged lower portions of slots 49. Therefore, if cross-beam 6 becomes frozen to the ice as by a thaw and subsequent freeze, the vertical bar I with the operating y parts can still be instantly pulled upwardly out of the water when a fish takes the line.

Mounted on the bar I below the surface of the ice is the reel 1 carried on a mounting plate 8, and carrying the fish line 16.

' The vertical bar I is provided with a central bore 9 of relatively small diameter which is slightly greater than the diameter of a long actuating rod I which passes therethrough and has at its upper end an enlarged head portion 81 which pushes against and releases actuating elements hereafter described. 'I'he upper portion of -bore 9, to a depth of about one-half inch, is considerably enlarged, and is provided with a peripheral copper sleeve 29 within which the head 61 of rod I0 moves.

The actuating mechanism carried by the lower part of vertical bar I is shown particularlyin Figure 5. The vertical bar I is advantageously of wood, and preferably of a light wood such as basswood, so that it is light to carry. By forming vertical rod I of wood, the peripheral surface of bore 9 is non-metallic, so that even if the surface of rod I8 becomes wet and it gets bent so that it contacts the periphery of bore 9, there Lwill be relatively little tendency for them to freeze together and much less such tendency than if the periphery of bore 9 were metallic. By forming the vertical bar I of wood, there is also a much poorer conduction of sub-freezing temperatures from without to the interior of bore 9. At the lower portion of bore 9 there is provided an enlarged recess II. On the lower part of rod I0 there is provided a motion-limiting flange I2 which is adapted to move to and fro in recess II and is of such size as to prevent rod II) from being pulledout of bore 9, since the flange I2 willengage the upper end of recess I I. The lower end I3 of rod I0 below flange I2 projects beyond the vertical bar I.

A sheet metal terminal cap or cover -I4 is provided over the lower end of bar I and is separated therefromby rubber or similar packing I5.

portion of metal collar I6. Intermediate of its length, collar I6 is provided with a transverse flange 41 which is centrally apertured.

A rubber nipple I8 is provided havingan upper terminal flange 28 and central passage to its tip which receives the lower end- I3 of rod I0. The upper terminal flange 28 is held between the lower end of cap I4 and the ilange 41 of collar I6. At a point below terminal flange 28, nipple I8 is provided with -an intermediate lower flange 46 which engages the lower side of flange 41V of collar I6. Nipple I8 is preferably formed of flexible but toughv rubber and has a continuous surface so as to form a hermetic seal to prevent the passage of any water upward from the lower part of tube 41 into the bore 9 of vertical bar I, forming a transverse diaphragm.

'The metal collar I6 is provided with wings 21 f is adapted topush against the lower terminal.

portion of rubber nipple I8 and therethrough transmit a thrust tothe lowerportion I3 of rod I0. Tube I1 is provided with centering blocks 2I, 22, which are centrally apertured to receive pin I9 and on their upper surfaces are bevelled to facilitate assembly.

A cam lever 23 is mounted at the lower end of tube I1 on a pivot 24 about which it freely swings. A suitable aperture is provided in the wall of tube I1 for the passage therethrough of cam lever 23. On its end inside of tube I'I, cam lever 23 is provided 'with a cam surface 25 which is adapted to push against and engage t'he lower end of pin I9 and transmit a thrust thereto.

vThe outer end of cam vlever 23 is provided with a recess or notch 26 adapted to receive and hold vadapted to engage the threaded lower terminal transmitted to rod Ill, and the nipple I8 will in 75 service withstand many hundreds of cycles of operation without fracture or cracking.

As shown particularly in Figure 2, on one face of the upper end ofv vertical bar I there is attached awi're 30 which has a short angularly bent terminal hook portion or tip 3| whichis adapted to extend into and engage the enlarged upper end of bore 9 andthe copper sleeve 29 therein. A flag 32 which may be of red color is carried on wire 38 as shown. Wire 38 is relatively long and is exible, but decidedly resilient, and may advantageously be piano wire doubled. When wire 30 is bent over as shown in Figure 2 so that terminal hook 3| is held within sleeve 29, both the end of wire 38 and the flag 32 are in a relatively low inconspicuous position, but when terminal hook 3| becomes disengaged from sleeve 23, the wire 38 will at once spring .upward into substantially a straight erect position and ag 32 is clearly and conspicuously displayed. When an upward thrust is transmitted to rod |0, its terminal head 81 pushes against terminal hook 3| of wire 30 and displaces and releases the same from engagement with sleeve 29, so that wire 38 springs up and flag 32 is displayed. The details of the structure of terminal hook 3| and sleeve 29 are particularly shown in Figure 15.

l Mounted on another lateral face of vertical bar I is a spring trap structure somewhat similar to a mouse trap, which comprises a trap lever 33 actuatable by a spring 34. At the free'end of trap lever 33 is attached a latch wire 35 having a terminal bent hook portion similar to hook 3|A of wire 30, and adapted to extend into andengage sleeve 29. Trap lever 33 may be set against the action of spring 34 by pushing the same upwardly so that the terminal portion of latch Wire 35 may be dropped into sleeve 29. An upward thrust on rod I will thus disengage the hook of latch wire 35 from sleeve 29 and release trap lever 33 so that `it springs back into its lower position.

On the upper end of trap lever 33 there is provided a terminal block 38 which is preferably of metal, and is provided with a ilring pin 31. A cartridge barrel 38 is provided passingthrough vertical bar I as shown particularly in Figure 2, and is adapted to receive a cartridge 48 whose head engages the head portion l39 of cartridge tube 38. When trap lever 33 is released, its structure is such that ring pin 31 will impinge upon and discharge cartridge 40. Adjacent to and in contact with head portion '38 of cartridge barrel 38,

. is contact plate 4| which is so constructed that it is engaged by the metallic terminal block 38 of trap lever33, and since contact plate 4| is metallic, an electrical circuit is closed when the trap lever is sprung and terminal block 38 impinges upon contact plate 4|. The details of the electrical circuit closed when such engagement takes place are particularly shown in Figure 14. Cartridge 48 is advantageously a vblank of 22 caliber.

.Mounted on one side of shoulder 3 on the upper end of vertical bar I, is the electric bell 42 which is actuated by the engagement of terminal block 38 on contact plate 4I. One or more suitable dryv cells of the type shown at 58 of Figure 12 are provided, preferably of a flat shape, and mounted Within the `body of vertical bar I in such a manner as to clear bore 9. `The platebatteries for the radio transmitter, lhereinafter referred to, but notspeciflcally shown in the drawings, are likewise mounted .within the body oi' vertical bar I, and are now commercially available in extremely small and compact form which may be conveniently retained in vertical bar I and its shoulders 2 and 3.

Mounted on the upper surface of shoulder 3 is a miniature incandescent electric lamp 43 which becomes lighted when the electric circuit is closed by terminal block 38 engaging contact plate 4|, and this electric lamp 43 is also actuated by a cell such as 58. This electric lamp 43 may be of the type commonly used in ashlights, and at night or at times of low visibility the lighted lamp may be clearly seen from a considerable distance and may be of 11/2 volt or other rating.

As shown particularly in Figure 14 the lower contact from dry cell 58 may be made by a spring 51. The dry cell 58 is connected in series through the switch comprising trap terminal block 38 and Contact plate 4I to a pair of line signal wires 58, 59. The electric bell 42 and incandescent lamp 43 are connected in parallel across signal wires 58, 59.

Mounted upon and within shoulder 2 on the upper end of vertical bar I is an ultra-high i'requency or short-wave radio transmitter which in Figure 1 as a whole is indicated at 44, and comprises a dipole antenna 45, 45, extending therefrom vertically with one wire 45 projecting above vertical bar I. This form of a dipole antenna of dimensions which can be conveniently mounted on a structure such as vertical bar I, and which may extend only a matter of 8 to 12 inches above the bar, is an eillcient transmitter of radio signals of ultra-high frequencies such as of the order of one meter in length. A number of transmitter circuits are known which are adapted for compact embodiment in a very limited space such'as is here available, in shoulder 2 and vertical bar I. A type of circuit suitable for such 'a compact embodiment is schematically shown in Figure 14 and includes a radio-frequency oscillator tube 80 having a grid coil 82 and a plate coil 83 inductively coupled together, and the plate coil 83 being inductively coupled to one or two turns 84 in dipole 45, 45. 'I'he plate and grid coils may also be only one or two turns.

An audio-frequency oscillator is shown at 8| and generates a signal of audo-frequency to modulate the radio-frequency output of radio-frequency oscillator 80. The audio-frequency oscillator 8| has a grid coil 88 and a plate coil 85 which are ferromagnetically coupled. The y+B battery supply for oscillators 88 and 8| is applied to the two free terminals marked +B and for this purpose there may be used very compact types of the batteries now commercially available, which may be mounted within vertical bar I and its shoulders, as above described.

An ultra-high frequency radio transmitter of the type shown in Figure 14 may be conveniently keyed in a number of different manners, as`in the plate circuit or in the lament circuit. For the particular application here in view it is convenient to key the filament circuit. For this purpose, the signal line wires 58, 58, from dry cell 58 through switch 38, 4|, may be extended to constitute the filament supply for oscillator tubes 88, 8|. In this manner, when trap lever 33 is released and the circuit from the dry cell is closed to signal' line wires 58, 58, the radio-transmitter at once `causes'ultra-high frequency signais. to be emitted by dipole 45, 45, and these signals are of a radio-frequency modulated at the audio-frequency of audio-frequency oscillator 8|. Such lmodulated ultra-high-frequency radio waves may be received on a suitable ultra- 'u high-frequency receiving set. .whichy the fisherman may' yhave atacomp'arativelynear. point, h U v Y v 4 ...as wire 62 marbeset-mth itsterrninalqhwk 84 on the 'shore,` wh i`c h is`in 'the opticglineiorsight ly and comparatively, nearby',"'so thatftheifrelatlvely feeble radio waves'from'suchliafgcompact,trans ,2 mitter will vbe clearly received` Thereceiving set, in knownmannen'maylbearrangedto operate anyde'siredjtype otielectric signalwithi-the y.. shack crbuildingv where gthejii'shermanmaybe seeking` sheltlerj from'jinclement jvi` lea therVv l2`ry cells are availablef in ty'pesyvhiclivlwill continue such as a shing shackfon,` the-Tice, orlai'buil'ciing to operate satisfactorily'under'any' eatherfand temperature conditions 1ik1y..to .be ntinshing. TransI nitt'erj circuits`-` other' than the `one shown ln v Figure "114v are jalsofknown lfwl'iichfare susceptible 'of 'compact embodiment and aresui'table for ultra-high V frequency transmission. F'or diieren t tip-ups', there can be different .modulating f requenciesfof. audio-frequency ,oscillator 6I, so thatthe'noteof the vireceived`signal.'will identify which .tip-uphasfthe" strikefThe ag wire 3 0 mayy be" used las the1 antenna instead .of diDOle 4 5. If the'lagwire' is used as antenna, it may be` connected toan intermediate point of plate coil 63,' prefer'ably tappingoffa relatively small partjofgthe plate voltage ata point just insidethef-I-B connection, as shown in Figure 15. `The antenna flag" Wire may be tuned when in erect actuated position tothe desired frequency. by clipping off smallpieces,

In Figures 11 and 12 there is shown a modied form Vof my invention which is provided simply.

with the electric bell 42 and incandescent lamp 43, the reel I belngas in the arrangement of Figure 1 below the ice. In'the arrangement of Figures 11 and` 12 ,lthe trap lever, shown at 1Il, is on. the lower part of theV vertical bar 69 and below the ice., Trap. lever 'l0 has a terminal block 92 which iS adapted toV engage when released the contactplate 12. The verticalbar 69 is provided adjacent trap lever 'I0 kwith a slot I3 through which there passes alatch or trigger member 14,2pivotally mounted in slot 73.y Latch I4 is provided with a terminal hook adapted to engage and hold the' outer end of trap lever 10, and is 'further provided at its other end with a line recess or notch or hookll adapted to receive andhold the sh line 'I6 from reel 1. It will beobviousjthatwhen a sh pulls on line 16, 'latchf14 will be' pulled and will release trap lever 'l0 sc that its terminal block will impinge upon contact plate"i2..and close the electrical circuit vfrom the dry cellsBS to actuate .bell 42 and lamp 43.v A "leathler; thong 'Il is provided on the 'lower end of verticalbar I which may be folded vover to cover'contactplate 12 so that when trap lever' 'l0 is releasediand in its lower position, the electrical ycircuitfw'ilt not be closed; this arrangement is desirable `forthe purpose of carrying vthe tipup fromplace to place.

`In Figure 13 I'have shown as'till further modification of my invention wherein the latch mechanisriil is actuated directlybyhthe, electric bell. An electricbell is shown at 80 which provided 'with an armaturel and.clappe-r'iiI.` Mounted upon the bell structure andadjacent the clapper isa sleeve member 86 fsli'dably lcarrying a latch rod 81 positioned:substantiallylatright angles `to N ofclapper'l and siibstantially in` the directionlofiitsmotion. Attlie end o f f latchr rod Aifiai wire"lismunfeduvan v ofits ends formed withv e., hooked foundto be simple and ruggedy in construction `as examples.

f claims I consider to be a part of my invention.

ruotare-is s uch that the 'I'he flag release. arra ngement of Figure 13 can onvenientlybeuadded to the bell arrangement of the ice, it is customary'for `onesherman to maintain fteenor more tip' ups, depending onthe provisions of the laws of `the State involved.` As a practical matter, these are spaced an appreciable distance aparato give a diversity of shinggrounds. It i s, theref,ore, vimportant that the fisherman shall vbeat once .warned when a` lsh has taken the line, and shall identify Whichtip-up has the strike, so that he can at once go and pull in the iish before it .breaks away. The signal must be rvpositively electric'bell will carry considerable distances over the iceunder normal conditions. vIfthe wind ism. adverse, the cartridge shot will carry much better than the electric bell. The radio signal will be positively transmitted under any conditions of theelements. i A f In practice, I iind that a convenient embodiment of my invention employs averticalbar I about 2 inches square and 14 or ('16 linches long, and may have the shoulders 2,3, extendi `out vsome 2 inches-depending on how much auxiliary apparatus they are to contain. -As shownparticularly in the form of Figure l2, the lower part of bar I can bevmade narrower to save weight,

' andin this form the latch 'I4 may be about inches long. In the form of Figure 2, the rod I0 and reliable in operation. I have described Vmy invention by reference to particular embodiments 4 It will be obvious that I have provided a very useful and novel device, andto those skilled in theY art it win be obvious that I. have provided a device which is susceptible of various embodiments and modifications and variations, and all such .embodiments which are comprehended Within theofscope of the Vappended `Having thus described my invention what is claimed is: Y

j l. In a tip-up, anl upright bar, means for sup- "porting said Vbar partly immersed in water, a

portion below water and having a cam terminal portion on one end, said lever normally projecting laterally from said bar and having at its other end a hook portion adapted to receive a sh-line, signal means normally resiliently assuming actuated position when unrestrained, latch means cooperating with said signal means for holding said signal means in unactuated position when set, and means passing through the interior of said bar and engageable with and actuatable by said cam terminal portion of said lever for releasing said latch means and thereby releasing said signal means into actuated position.

2. In a tip-up, an upright bar, means for supporting said bar partly immersed in water; said bar being provided with a central bore, rod means displaceable Within said bore, means carried on the end of said bar below water and Vactuatable by a pull on a sh-line for displacing said rod means, a latch wire having a bent terminal portion engageable in the upper end'oi` said bore into a set position, and signal means actuatable by the displacementA of said latch wire from engagement with said bore by the displacement of said rod means thereagainst.

3. In a tip-up, an upright bar, means for supporting said bar partly immersed in water, said bar being provided with a central bore, the portion of said bar immediately adjacent said bore being non-metallic, rod means displaceable within said bore, means carried on the end of said bar below water and actuatable by a pull on a fish-line for displacing said rod means, a latch carried on the upper portion of said bar and releasable from set position by displacement of said rod means, and signal means actuatable by the release of said latchfrom set position.

4. In a tip-up, an upright bar, means for supporting said bar partly immersed in water, said bar being provided with a central bore, rod means displaceable within said bore, a lever pivotally mounted on the end of said bar below water and having a cam surface engageable with an yend of said rod means, said lever being actuatable by a pull of a fish-line thereon, a latch carried on the upper portion of said bar and releasable from set position by displacement of said rod means, and signal means actuatable by the release of said latch from set position.

5. In a tip-up, an upright bar, means for supporting said bar partly immersed in water, said bar being provided with a central bore, a pair of rods colinearly positioned in said bore with ends adjacent, a continuous resilient diaphragm inserted between the adjacent ends of said rods and completely hermetically closing said bore, means carried on the end of said bar below Water and actuatable by a pull on a fish-line for displacing the lower one of said rods, a latch carried on the upper portion of said bar and releasable from set position by displacement of the upper one of said rods, and signal means actuatable by the release of said latch from set position.

6. In a tip-up, a line-engaging lever, a pivot for mounting said lever, a first tubular terminal member carrying said pivot, a pin slidably displaceable within said tubular member, said lever being mounted to engage when displaced the free end of said pin, a second tubular member engageable with one end of said first tubular member, continuous resilient diaphragm water seal means positioned across and closing the communicating passage between said rst and secof rods colinearly positioned in said bore with ends adjacent, a resilient exible nipple member positioned between the adjacent ends of said rods and completely hermetically closing said bore and receiving one of said rods into the passage of said nipple, means carried on the end of said bar below water and actuatable by a pull on a fish-line for displacing the lower one of said rods, a latch carried on the upper portion of said bar and releasable from set position by displacement of the upper one of said rods, and signal means aotuatable by the release o1' said latch from set position.

8. In a tip-up, an upright bar, a cross-piece adapted to extend across a hole in ice, said bar and cross-piece being provided with mutually engaging socket and shoulder interlocking means adapted to iirmly but instantaneously separably lock the same together with said bar supported upright by said cross-piece, said bar being provided with a central bore, a pair of rods colinearly positioned in said bore with ends adiacent, a continuous resilient diaphragm inserted between the adjacent ends of said rods and completely hermetically closing said bore, means carried on the end of said bar below water and actuatable by a pull on a fish-line for displacing the lower one of said rods, a latch carried on the upper portion of said bar and releasable from set position by displacement of the upper one of said rods, and signal means actuatable by the release of said latch from set position.

9. In a tip-up, an upright' bar, means for supporting said bar partly immersed in water, a trigger lever pivotally carried by said bar on its portionbelow water and having a cam terminal portion on one end, said lever normally projecting laterally from said bar and having at its other end a hook portion adapted -to receive a fish-line, a cartridge barrel carried on the portion of said bar above water, a spring-actuated hammer member adapted when actuated to discharge a cartridge carried in said barrel, latch means for retaining said hammer member in cocked position and actuatable when released to discharge said cartridge, and means passing through `the interior of said bar and engageable and actu-atable by said cam terminal portion of said lever for releasing said latch means.

10. In a tip-up, an upright bar, means for supporting said bar partly immersed in water, a lever carried by said bar on its portion below water, controllable radiant energy signaling means carried on said bar for signaling by radiant energy, resiliently actuatable actuating means for causing said signaling means to signal by radiant energy, latch means cooperating with said actuating means for holding the same in unactuated position when set and for causing the same -to assume the actuated position when released, and means actuatable by said lever and passing through the interior of said bar lor releasing said latch means.

11. In a tip-up, an upright bar, means for supporting said bar partly immersed in water, a

lever carriedA by said bar on its portion below water, a plurality of controllable radiant energy signaling meanscarried on said bar and respectively adaptd for signaling by different forms of radiant energy, resiliently actuatable actuating means for causing said signaling means to signal by radiant energy, latch means cooperating with said actuating means for holding the samev in unactuated position when set and for causing the same-to assume the actuatedposition when released, and means actuatable by said lever and passing through the interior of said bar for releasing said latch means.

12. In atip-up,'an upright bar, means for supporting said bar partly immersed in water, said bar being provided with a central bore, a pair of rods colinearly positioned in said bore with ends adjacent, a continuous resilient diaphragm inserted between the adjacent ends of said rods and completely Ahermetically closing said bore, means carried on lthe end of said bar below water and actuatable by a pull on a fish-line for displacing the lower one of said rods, a latch carried on the upper portion of said bar and releasable from set position by displacement of the upper one of said rods, a radio transmitting set carried on said bar, and a resiliently actuatable switch member for keying said set. said latch being engageable with said switch member for holding the same in unactuated position when set.

13. In a tip-up, an upright bar, means for supporting said bar partly immersed in water, said bar being provided with a central bore, a pair of rods colinearly positioned in said bore with ends adjacen-t, a continuous resilient diaphragm inserted between the adjacent ends of said rods and completely hermetically closing said bore, means carried on the end of said bar below water and actuatable by a pull on a sh-line for displacing the lower one of said rods, a latch carried on the upper portion of said bar and releasable from set position by displacement of the upper one of said rods, a cartridge barrel carried on the portion of said bar above water, and a springactuated hammer member adapted when actuated to discharge a cartridgecarried in said barrel, said latch being adapted for retaining said hammer member in cocked position and actuatable when released to discharge said cartridge.

14. In a tip-up, an upright bar, means for supporting said bar partlyimmersed in water, said bar being provided with a central bore, a pair of rods colinearly positioned in said bore with ends adjacent, a continuous resilient diaphragm inserted between the adjacent ends of said rods and completely hermetically closing said bore, means carried on the end of said bar below water and actuatable by a pull on a iish-line for displacing the lower one of said rods, a resilient ag wire having a portion thereof mounted on said bar, retaining means on said bar for retaining a free end of said ag wire, and a flag and completely hermetically closing said bore, means carried on the end of said bar below water and actuatable by a pull on a sh-line for displacing the lower one of said rods, latch means carried on the upper portion of said bar and releasable from set position by displacement of the upper one of said rods, controllable radiant energy signaling means carried on said lbar for signaling by radiant energy, and actuating means for causing said radiant energy signaling means to signal by radiant energy, said latch means being engageable with said actuating means for holding the same in unactuated position when set and for causing the same to assume the actuated position'when released.

16. In a tip-up, an upright bar, means for supporting said bar partly immersed in Water, said bar being provided with a central bore, a pair of rods colinearly positioned in said bore with ends adjacent, a continuous resilient diaphragm inserted between the adjacent ends of said rods and completely hermetically closing said bore, means carried on the end of said bar below water and actuatable by a pull on a fish-line for displacing the lower one of said rods, visual signal means carried on said bar, and control means adapted to release said visual signal means into display condition, said controlmeans being releasable from set conditions by displacement of the upper one of said rods.

17, In a tip-up, an upright bar, means for supporting said bar partly immersed in water, said bar being provided with a central bore, a pair of rods colinearly positioned in said bore with ends adjacent, a continuous resilient diaphragm inserted between the adjacent ends of said rods and completely hermetically closing said bore, means carried on the end of said bar below water and actuatable by a pull on a fish-line for displacing the lower one of said rods, acoustic signal means carried on said bar, and control means adapted to release said acoustic signal means into acoustic operating condition, said control means being releasable from set condition by displacement of the upper one of said rods.

18. In a tip-up, an upright bar, means for supporting said bar partly immersed in water, said bar being provided with a central bore, a pair of rods colinearly positioned in said bore with ends adjacent, a continuous resilient diaphragm inserted between the adjacent ends of said rods and completely hermetically closing said bore, means carried on the end of said bar below water and actuatable by a pull on a fish-line for displacing the lower one of said rods, latch means carried on the upper portion of said bar and releasable from set position by displacement of the upper one of said rods, a resilient ag wire having a portion thereof mounted on said bar and normally held in set position, a flag carried on said flag wire, a radio transmitting set carried on said bar, said iiag wire being releasable from set position into display position by displacement oi the upper one of said rods, and keying means for said set actuatable by the release of said latch means to cause said set to emit radio signals, whereby displacement of the upper one of said rods causes signaling by both said ag and said radio transmitting set.

19. The subject matter of claim 18, said radio transmitting set comprising said flag wire as its antenna.

OSCAR P. EGGLESTON. 

